Newcastle United manager, Eddie Howe, has spoken out about his confrontation with a Leeds fan during their 2-2 draw at Elland Road on Saturday.
Howe believes that this incident should serve as a wake-up call for those responsible for ensuring the safety of players and staff.
In the closing moments of the thrilling match, an angry Leeds supporter climbed out of the stands and entered the technical area to confront Howe. However, the situation was quickly resolved as the intruder was promptly removed from the scene.
While Howe reassured everyone that he is physically unharmed, he emphasized the importance of upholding the safety of all individuals involved in football matches. He called for measures to prevent such incidents from occurring and stressed that the well-being of players and staff should not be violated.
“I actually can’t remember whether he pushed me or not, I’ve got no idea, it’s such a strange thing because you’re concentrating on the game and you don’t expect it to happen,” Howe said.
“He confronted me, said something that I can’t repeat, and was then led away.
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“I’m OK, moments like that do make you think about the safety of staff and players is paramount for me at any matches in the Premier League and Football League. We need to be mindful, security is so important.
“I don’t know if I had time to be fearful because it was over in a flash but it certainly makes you think ‘what if’ and I think it is moments like this that should make people look and analyse how we can improve safety for staff and players.
“No one should have to face that, playing a sport we love and trying to entertain the country, no one should feel like their own personal safety is violated. It is something for us to reflect on.”
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Howe was more disappointed that his side could not win at Elland Road as they looked to strengthen their grip on Champions League qualification.
Luke Ayling put Leeds ahead early on but a pair of Callum Wilson penalties gave Newcastle the lead only for Rasmus Kristensen’s deflected effort to deny them three points.
Howe added: “It was a strange game, lots happened, a lot of different feelings from it. At 1-0 down and a penalty down you are fearing the worst but we managed to get ourselves in front and are ultimately disappointed not to win.”
Leeds stay in the bottom three, but it was a positive afternoon for new boss Sam Allardyce on his first match in charge at Elland Road, though he needed to calm down after the enthralling nature of the match, where Patrick Bamford missed a first-half penalty and Junior Firpo was sent off at the death.
“I needed two valiums when we came off to calm me down,” he joked. “I enjoyed it actually, I did. I was nervous before the game because we were playing at home and I wanted to give the fans something.
“But what the lads did for me and the rest of the staff, the fans, and themselves gave me some hope going forward because they tried their very best and I can’t ask for any more than that.
“Two-two, in the end, is satisfying. I hope it goes to the wire, when we play Tottenham I hope there is something in it for us.
“We have to keep our fingers crossed that the others don’t win. It’s not in our hands so all we can do is what we did today and do it better.”
